Innogenetics N.v.

Geert Deschamps

Erik Depla

Erwin Sablon

Fons Bosman

Annie Van Broekhoven

Isabelle Samson

Gert Verheyden

Manfred Suckow

Joost Haelewyn

The current invention relates to vectors and methods for efficient expression of HCV envelope proteins in eukaryotic cells. More particularly said vectors comprise the coding sequence for an avian lysozyme signal peptide or a functional equivalent thereof joined to a HCV envelope protein or a part thereof. Said avian lysozyme signal peptide is efficiently removed when the protein comprising said avian lysozyme signal peptide joined to a HCV envelope protein or a part thereof is expressed in a eukaryotic cell. Suitable eukaryotic cells include yeast cells such asorcells.

Constructs and methods for expression of recombinant HCV envelope proteins

The current invention relates to HCV envelope proteins or parts thereof which are the product of expression in eukaryotic cells. More particularly said HCV envelope proteins are characterized in that on average up to 80% of their N-glycosylation sites are core-glycosylated. Of these N-glycosylated sites more than 70% are glycosylated with an oligomannose having a structure defined by Man(8 to 10)-GlcNAc(2). Furthermore, the ratio of the oligomannose with structure Man(7)-GlcNAc(2) over the oligomannose with structure Man(8)-GlcNAc(2) is less than or equal to 0.45. Less than 10% of the oligomannoses is terminated with an &#x3b1;1,3 linked mannose. The HCV envelope proteins of the invention are particularly suited for diagnostic, prophylactic and therapeutic purposes. A suitable eukaryotic cell for production of the HCV envelope proteins of the invention is acell.

Core-glycosylated HCV envelope proteins

The present invention relates to the general field of recombinant protein expression, purification of recombinant proteins, diagnosis of HCV infection, prophylactic treatment against HCV infection and to the prognosing/monitoring of the clinical efficiency of treatment of an individual with chronic hepatitis, or the prognosing/monitoring of the natural disease. In particular, the present invention relates to the use of yeast, i.e.orglycosylation minus strains, for the efficient expression of HCV envelope proteins that are core-glycosylated, purification methods for these proteins, and the use in various applications, such as the use in diagnosis, prophylaxis or therapy of HCV envelope proteins purified according to the present invention.

Expression of core-glycosylated HCV envelope proteins in yeast

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Aalter, Belgium

Geert Deschamps